Want to know how to use Procreate mockups to elevate your design presentations, right from your iPad? Whether you’re working on a wedding invitation, a product label, or a printable card, mockups made for Procreate make it easy to create stunning visuals without opening Photoshop.
In this step-by-step guide, we’ll show you how to use procreate mockups from Custom Scene using the 5x7in Invitation and Envelope Mockup as an example. These techniques can be applied to any Procreate-compatible mockup from Custom Scene.
Browse the full Mockups for Procreate collection
What’s the goal? To help you use Procreate mockups to bring your designs to life with ease and style—no Photoshop, no desktop. We’ll guide you step-by-step using the 5x7in Invitation Rounded Corners and Envelope Mockup as an example.
Who’s this for? Designers, stationery artists, calligraphers, or creators who want to present their work in a professional mockup format, using only their iPad and Procreate.
What will you learn? How to import your design into a Procreate mockup, customize finishes like foil, edit colors, and export high-quality visuals. These steps apply to any Custom Scene mockup for Procreate.
Table of Contents
Step 1: Preparing Your Files and Mockup
Before we begin, make sure you’ve got:
- Your design saved as a PNG or JPEG.
- The Procreate version of the mockup downloaded on your iPad
Opening the Mockup on iPad
- Open the Files app and locate your downloaded ZIP file.
- Tap to unzip the file.
- Tap the .procreate file, and it will automatically open in the Procreate app.
Step 2: Importing and Placing Your Design
Add Your Invitation Design
- With the mockup open, tap the Layers panel.
- From the mockup group, locate the layer labelled [YOUR DESIGN HERE].
- Tap the layer > choose Clear to remove the placeholder.
- Go to Actions (the wrench icon) > Add > Insert a file or photo.
- Choose your design and it will drop into the canvas.
Fit Your Design to the Card Area
- Enable Snapping and toggle on Magnetics to help align your design.
- Tap the Transform tool (arrow icon).
- Manually scale and position it to fit the 5x7in area exactly.
Tip: Unlike Photoshop smart objects, mockups on iPad require manual placement, but you still have full control. If you’re using an iPad with Apple Pencil, use two fingers to resize and rotate with precision.
Step 3: Customizing the Mockup on iPad
Change Color Using Fill Layer
To customize editable layers (like card backgrounds, envelopes, or any item):
- Choose your desired hue from the colors panel.
- Tap the layer labeled Change Color.
- Select Fill Layer — Procreate will fill only the existing artwork on that layer, keeping transparency intact.
- To change the color again, repeat steps 2–4.
Why this works: These layers typically have Alpha Lock enabled (indicated by a checkered thumbnail). Alpha Lock prohibits editing on transparent areas, so Fill Layer only affects pixels that already exist. There’s no need for masking, as the locked transparency ensures your edits stay neatly within the original shape.
Apply Foil or Print Finishes
- In the Layers panel, locate the “Foil Effect” layer under the card group.
- Tap on the [YOUR DESIGN HERE] layer and Clear the placeholder layer.
- Insert your design again using Actions > Add and position it as before.
- Optional: Mask it with the foil layer for realism
- Select the Card (Foil) layer > tap Select.
- Return to [YOUR DESIGN HERE] > tap it > tap Mask.
This gives your design a luxe metallic effect—perfect for wedding stationery mockups.
Adjust the Envelope
- The envelope is made of two groups: the paper and the flap.
- To simulate a tucked card:
- Select both envelope layers by swiping right.
- Use the Move tool to shift or rotate them.
Customize the Background
- Choose a new color from the picker, or long-press to grab a hue from your design.
- Select the Background color layer.
- Optional: Unlock the layer ON/OFF Background layer to toggle layer opacity to soften the effect.
Enhance Shadows & Lighting
- Locate the ON/OFF Overlay group. Unlock it to make it editable.
- Adjust opacity to control shadow intensity and overall drama.
- At the top, toggle the ON/OFF Filter, which applies a subtle color and brightness correction across the scene. Switch it on or off as desired.
This gives your mockup a final polished look, ensuring professional-looking contrast and lighting.
Step 4: Finalizing and Exporting
Fine-Tune for Realism
- Subtlety is key—lower the opacity on shadow layers if your card appears too dark.
- Keep lighting and foil shine natural by comparing against reference photos or real product shots.
Export Your Mockup
- Go to Actions > Share.
- Choose JPEG for portfolio and web.
- Choose PNG for transparent backgrounds or social media.
Want multiple finishes? Duplicate the mockup in Gallery:
- Swipe left > Tap Duplicate.
- Change background, texture, or foil.
- Export each version individually.
Want to Try It Yourself?
This tutorial was made to be hands-on. To help you follow along, you can get the exact mockup used in this guide for just $3. Just use the code below at checkout:
Use code: TUTORIAL
→ Get the mockup here: 5x7in Invitation Rounded Corners and Envelope Mockup
Plus, for a limited time, take 50% off all Procreate mockups across the site with code:
Use code: PROCREATE50
→ Browse the full collection: Mockups for Procreate
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Can You Do Mockups in Procreate?
Yes, you absolutely can. While Procreate doesn’t support Photoshop smart objects, you don’t need them to create polished, professional-looking mockups for Procreate directly on your iPad.
With organized layers, editable textures, and smart layer labeling, mockups for Procreate work seamlessly, especially when you’re using mockups designed specifically for iPad workflows. If you’re looking for ready-made templates, we’ve got you covered.
Browse the full Mockups for Procreate collection
⚠️ Important Disclaimer: Canvas Size & Layer Limits in Procreate
Although Procreate mockups offer an impressive iPad-native experience, it’s essential to know that Procreate imposes canvas size and layer limitations based on your iPad’s RAM and canvas dimensions.
- Each mockup in the Custom Scene for Procreate collection is created at 2732 × 2048 px at 300 DPI, matching the full resolution of a 13‑inch iPad Pro M4.
- Newer iPads with more RAM (like M‑series models) can handle many layers at this size, but older iPads may struggle, particularly at high resolution.
Procreate dynamically adjusts layer limits based on your device and canvas size. For example:
- A smaller canvas uses less memory and allows more layers.
- A 2048 × 2742 px canvas on a 2020 iPad Pro might permit over 50 layers, while on an older iPad Air it may support only a handful.
What this means for you:
- If your iPad is older, you may run out of layers when using high-res mockups.
- You can manage layer count by flattening, merging groups, or simplifying your mockup before import.
- Procreate’s built-in Layer Limit Calculator (Help > Maximum Layer Limit) lets you check ahead of time
Why Procreate Mockups Are a Must-Have
Whether you’re a stationery designer, illustrator, or small business owner, Procreate mockups give you complete creative control without the complexity of desktop tools. You can test colorways, show client proofs, and generate scroll-stopping social posts, all from your iPad.
And with Custom Scene’s mockups for Procreate, every file is built for a smooth, intuitive experience. You’ll find clearly labeled layers, built-in foil and texture effects, editable color zones, and realistic lighting—all ready to go, so you can focus on showcasing your design without getting bogged down in setup.
You don’t need a studio. You don’t even need Photoshop. Just open the file, drop in your design, and export.